1. “Embracing Change To Experience Life!” Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

2. [Hebrews, Qoheleth ] … draws a very sharp distinction between those who WORSHIP God on their own terms and WORSHIP God on His terms. WORSHIP God on their own terms and WORSHIP God on His terms.

3. Psalm 14:1…. “ The fool says in his heart, ‘ There is no God. ’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” (NIV) “ The fool says in his heart, ‘ There is no God. ’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” (NIV)

4. is someone who says in his heart that there is no God and who then lives his life in a way that is consistent with that belief.

5. is much more than just what we do here together on Sunday morning.

6. How To Be WISE In Our WORSHIP? How To Be WISE In Our WORSHIP?

8. Ecclesiastes 5:1b…. “… Go [draw] near to listen [hear] rather than to offer [give] the sacrifice of fools, who [for they] do not know that they do wrong [evil].” (NIV) “… Go [draw] near to listen [hear] rather than to offer [give] the sacrifice of fools, who [for they] do not know that they do wrong [evil].” (NIV)

9. The “ fool ” comes to TALK, the “ wise ” comes to LISTEN.

10. GUARD OUR STEPS (walk prudently) … go to the house of God to WORSHIP, to GO (draw) NEAR TO HEAR GOD.

11. The word “Qoheleth” conveys the idea of…. 1) “listening carefully” 2) “obeying what we hear”

12. Hebrews 13:15…. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (NIV) “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (NIV)

15. How many of us in our prayer time, heed the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 46:10? “Be still, and know that I am God.” (NIV) “Be still, and know that I am God.” (NIV)

17. Ecclesiastes 5:2a…. “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything [hastily] before God...” (NIV) “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything [hastily] before God...” (NIV)

18. …. makes hasty judgments, …is HUMBLE!

19. Our spiritual maturity actually increases when we make a HUMBLE and SOBER judgment of our own shortcomings.

20. Romans 12:3…. “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (NIV) “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (NIV)

22. Ecclesiastes 5:3…. “As a dream comes when there are many cares [activity], so the speech of a fool when there are many words.” (NIV) “As a dream comes when there are many cares [activity], so the speech of a fool when there are many words.” (NIV)

23. reference to “dreams” here seems to be referring to foolish dreaming or day-dreaming. The “ fool ” often BOASTS, the “ wise ” often OBEYS.

24. was thinking of those who make radical resolutions in order to try and show other people how spiritual and pious they are.

25. Matthew 26:33-35…. “Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ … “Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ …

26. Matthew 26:33-35…. …. But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others disciples said the same.” (NIV) …. But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others disciples said the same.” (NIV)

27. Peter ends up before the morning comes and all the other disciples flee and hide.

28. If we really want to show that we love God, ACTIONS are much more important than our words.

29. John 14:21…. “Whoever has my commands and OBEYS [keeps] them, he is the one who loves me ….” (NIV) “Whoever has my commands and OBEYS [keeps] them, he is the one who loves me ….” (NIV)

30. The way that we demonstrate we really love God is not with our talk. The real proof of our love for Him is whether we are WILLING TO ACT on what we discover as we hear Him.

32. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6…. “ (v.4) When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling [pay] it; He has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill [pay what you] your vow. (v.5) It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill [pay] it. … “ (v.4) When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling [pay] it; He has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill [pay what you] your vow. (v.5) It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill [pay] it. …

33. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6…. …. (v.6) Do not let your mouth lead you into [cause your flesh to] sin. And do not protest to [nor say before] the [temple] messenger of [God], “My vow was a mistake” [that it was an error]. … …. (v.6) Do not let your mouth lead you into [cause your flesh to] sin. And do not protest to [nor say before] the [temple] messenger of [God], “My vow was a mistake” [that it was an error]. …

34. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6…. …. Why should God be angry at what you say [your excuse] and destroy the work of your hands?” (NIV) …. Why should God be angry at what you say [your excuse] and destroy the work of your hands?” (NIV)

35. here simply says that… The “fools” DOES NOT FULFILL his VOWS. The “fools” DOES NOT FULFILL his VOWS. The “wise” man often keeps His WORD. The “wise” man often keeps His WORD.

36. Temple vows were a common part of Old Testament WORSHIP. Temple vows were a common part of Old Testament WORSHIP. …. often involved the promise to dedicate something to God in return for God granting a request made in prayer.

37. Many times when these kinds of vows are made and God answers the prayer, the person who made the vow fails to fulfill his promise.

40. Ecclesiastes 5:7…. “Much dreaming [For in the multitude of dreams] and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.” (NIV) “Much dreaming [For in the multitude of dreams] and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.” (NIV)

41. The “ fool ” FOCUSES ON SELF ; the “ wise ” man FEARS GOD.

42. being careful with our words. Reflects what is in our heart! Reflects what is in our heart!

43. Luke 6:45…. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (NIV) “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (NIV)

44. The WISE MAN fears God! He will be so overwhelmed with the greatness of God that WORDS will be inadequate to express his awe and wonder.

45. But the “ fool ” will be so FOCUSED ON HIMSELF that his mouth will run over with excessive words. He won’t be able to stop talking about himself and all that is important to him.

46. We as a culture have tried to conform God to who we want Him to be, rather than who He really is.

47. My goal … is to feed you a steady diet of God’s Word every week so that Jesus can reveal Himself to you as He really is. Sometimes that may not be what you want to hear, but rather what you need to hear!

48. My job is not to meet your needs, BUT to TEACH you about the God of the Bible… the ONLY ONE that can meet those needs.

49. In your WORSHIP …. Is your focus on yourself and your desires? Are you focused on God and what He wants?

50. The WISE MAN….

51. Let’s pray!